Sometimes, you really ARE the bug
Lately, my life reminds me of that song that goes “Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug”…. I feel like the world’s most smooshed bug.
I know everyone has down days, but when you feel like you’re already on the ground, and someone’s kicking the hell out of you, it gets old, fast. As an update for everyone, the bankruptcy battle continues… continues to go on, continues to strain my nerves, my health, and my constant struggle to maintain some kind of faith in the US legal system. Now we’ve found out that they do plan to sell off our rights to another company… An idea I am opposed to. While I might have little recourse in the case of the continuity books I wrote for the now-bankrupt publisher, I will not bend so easily on my own work.
My advice, to this new company, is this:
Tread very carefully. Think long, hard, and wisely about your next step. And before you make a single move, get to know the authors involved, on a one-on-one basis. Get to know their concerns, the areas where they will not bend, now, and what they expect from you.
I was one of the few (in fact, the ONLY outside author to the company) left over who helped to launch the company originally (One of my books was a first launch, in January of 2004). I have been trampled and disillusioned by the company, under its current owners. Do not expect me to come along quietly, or to play nice if I’m not given a say in what gets done with my own books. Get to know me, and what I know about when the company was good, and how it started going wrong. Work with me, and be willing to bend when I say “This is what you can have” and ”This is what I want back.” If you hope to gain back the trust of the authors, it will be YOU, not us, who will be required to bend, and make concessions.
I’m not trying to be petty, or bitchy, here. This bankruptcy has left me with a very wary approach to this company, in any incarnation, and I know it has done so for many others. A publisher runs on the good will of its authors, because we are the first line of business. We write the books. In many cases, the majority of all publicity done comes from us. We are the face of the company, and in this case, many of us are uneasy and dissatisfied with having been thoroughly screwed over by the current owners, and the legal system. We bring with us more than merely saleable goods. We bring with us knowledge, and passion. To gain access to that, and harness its capabilities, you MUST be willing and ready to listen, and to deal. Negotiate each author’s works one-by-one. Pay attention to their concerns. And, above all, if you make a promise, KEEP IT. We’ve been lied to enough.
